Miss Goldsboro receives crown
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on November 10, 2013 1:50 AM
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News-Argus/SETH MABRY
Emily Tucker, left, is crowned Miss Goldsboro 2014 by her predecessor, Miss Goldsboro 2013, Beth Stovall, Saturday night at the Paramount Theatre.
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News-Argus/SETH MABRY
Emily Tucker, center, was crowned Miss Goldsboro 2014 on Saturday night at the Paramount Theatre. The 22-year-old graduate of Eastern Wayne High School and East Carolina University also won the talent award and community service award. She is flanked by Jessica Carter, left, first runner-up, and Mary Beth Cameron, second runner-up.
A 22-year-old sales associate at Belk was crowned Miss Goldsboro 2014 Saturday night at the Paramount Theatre.
Emily Tucker, a graduate of Eastern Wayne High School and East Carolina University, also won the talent award and a $500 scholarship for the community service award, a $1,000 scholarship from the Miss Goldsboro Scholarship Association and a $2,500 in-kind scholarship from Mount Olive College.
She has been a resident of Goldsboro since her now-retired father moved here with the Air Force. Her parents are John and Tawnya Tucker.
"This is my first pageant," Miss Tucker said backstage. "I have never done it before. I have always wanted to. I decided not to regret anything."
For her talent, the vocal performance major sang "Una Voce Poco Fa" by Rossini. She said she plans to pursue a master's degree in speech pathology.
Her platform is "Operation: Outreach," a program aimed at establishing stronger ties between the armed forces and nearby communities. In addition to representing Goldsboro and preparing for the upcoming Miss North Carolina pageant, Miss Tucker said she is anxious to begin promoting her platform.
"I'm looking forward to being able to work with schools and really bring Seymour Johnson Air Force Base and the community together," she said.
Six contestants were competing for the crown in the annual preliminary pageant.
First runner-up was Jessica Carter, a 20-year-old student at UNC-Chapel Hill who lives in Four Oaks. Second runner-up was Mary Beth Cameron, a sophomore at Meredith College who lives in Rocky Mount. Miss Carter receives a $2,000 in-kind scholarship from Mount Olive College and Miss Cameron received a 1,500 in-kind scholarship.
Jordan Ward, a 17-year-old senior at North Duplin High School, was named Miss Congeniality.
Seven contestants competed for the title of Goldsboro's Outstanding Teen 2014. The honor went to Rachel Brittain, a 16-year-old junior who attends Cape Fear High School in Fayetteville. She also earned the interview award.
First runner-up was Caroline Gainey, a 16-year-old student at Ravenscroft High School in Raleigh.
Regan Chavez, a 16-year-old junior at Hobbton High School in Newton Grove, was second runner-up. She also received the talent award and tied for Miss Congeniality with Shae Malham, a 13-year-old eighth-grader from Princeton Middle School.
Carolina Princesses, the youngest participants in the pageant, are paired with a Miss or Outstanding Teen as part of a mentoring program. The queens and their Carolina Princess representative will make joint appearances throughout the coming year.
Samantha Eubanks, a 6-year-old first-grader at Tommy's Road Elementary School, will be Carolina Princess for Miss Goldsboro 2014, a title previously held by her older sister. Catherine Eubanks, a fourth-grader at Tommy's Road, along with Faron Gurley, were Carolina Princesses to the 2013 Miss Goldsboro, Beth Stovall.
Carolina Princess for Goldsboro's Outstanding Teen is Jenna Hales, 9, from Fayetteville.